News across Cook County
‘It never goes away’: Evanston native, ex-trooper’s first fatal crash drives his mission to teach teens
Almost 40 years later, Evanston native and former Illinois State Police Sgt. Doug Whitmore still vividly remembers the first fatal crash he responded to. “It was a 16-year-old girl. She was on I-294 near Willow Road, driving a red BMW convertible with a black top. She missed her…
‘Mapping Black Evanston’ event being held on Oct. 3 at Shorefront Legacy Center
Join Shorefront Legacy Center from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, for a first look at “Mapping Black Evanston.” The event will take place at the Shorefront Legacy Center and Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church, 2214 Ridge Ave. Throughout this year-long partnership…
Peggy Tarr: ¡Feliz mes de la herencia hispana! Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
As I was nearing the entrance to a restaurant, three women speaking Spanish were exiting. One of them walked back to the restaurant door, opened it and held it while I entered. “Gracias,” I said and smiled. The woman then walked beside me and opened and held the inner door. I…
On a mission to share Sukkot
The Kovacs family came to Dawes Park to celebrate the Jewish festival of Sukkot by seeking out Jewish passersby and inviting them to shake the lulav and etrog. Offering the ritual is considered an act of kindness in the Orthodox Chabad-Lubavitch tradition. That’s Levi, 11,…
Gun Violence Prevention Advocates Speak About Importance of Community-Based Solutions
Representatives from Chicago Create Real Economic Destiny, a community-oriented nonprofit, advocated for mental health services and life coaching as an alternative to police intervention.
Evanston Community Foundation honors Ralph Segall at 40th anniversary party
The Evanston Community Foundation presented its inaugural Ralph Segall Evanston Forever Award on Tuesday at an event celebrating the organization’s 40th anniversary. The first edition went to the award’s namesake, Ralph Segall, for 40 years of service to the foundation as…
The Evanston and North Shore NAACP to host ‘Building Collective Impact Through Community Organizing’ on Oct. 10
From 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, the NAACP Evanston/North Shore Branch is hosting “Building Collective Impact Through Community Organizing,” part of its Evanston environmental justice conversation series. The free event will take place at the Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center, 1823…
Evanston Grows to supply kale, salad mix, romaine, parsley to ETHS
Starting this year, the nonprofit Evanston Grows will kick off a pilot program to grow kale, salad mix, romaine and parsley for Evanston Township High School’s from-scratch kitchen to be used in student meals at the high school and the District 65 schools that receive meals from…
‘It’s a sacred service’: Volunteer Jewish group offers end-of-life ritual support
A human body lay motionless on a raised platform, surrounded by about 20 volunteers. All were gathered in a specially equipped downstairs room at Chicago Jewish Funerals, in Skokie, to learn about taharah: the practice of preparing a body for burial. The training was sponsored by…
Residents pitch in for 25th annual Wheelchair Wash
Dozens of volunteers came out to lend a hand on Thursday at the Over the Rainbow Association, 2040 Brown Ave., for this year’s Wheelchair Wash. They gloved up and spent the evening hand-washing wheelchairs for residents of the independent living facility for people with…
How local groups cleaning up Evanston beaches can raise awareness
International Coastal Cleanup Day is held annually on the third Saturday of September, spurring volunteers globally to organize and contribute to beach cleanups. Lake Michigan beaches have been part of this global effort since the Alliance for the Great Lakes launched its…
Good Neighbors: Kandi Corbbins practices and teaches hair-apy
Good Neighbors is an ongoing series introducing readers to local caregivers doing cool things in the community. For fall 2026, the hot back-to-school hair looks, as Kandi Corbbins has observed, include “a heavy emphasis [on] urban ethnic culture.” Boho braids, with hair loose at…